Envelope-opener



(No Model.) 3

J. BIRD.

ENVELOPE OPENER.

No. 397,333. I Patented Feb. 5, 1889.

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5652/ igpg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BIRD, OF \VARREN, ILLINOIS.

EN VELOPE-OPEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,333, dated February 5, 1889.

Application filed October 17, 1888- $erial No. 288,351. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BIRD, of \Yarren, in the county of J 0 Daviess and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelope-Openers and Paper-Cutters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in envelope-openers and paper-cutters; and it consists in a blade or cutter which has formed as a part of it at its inner end arms. or extensions, which are to be clamped around a pencil or pen, and thus secure the cutter in position, in combination with a guard or shield, which is to be slipped over the cutter when not in use, and thus not only protect the clothing from being injured by the cutter while it is being carried in the pocket, but to also protect the cutter itself from being accidentally injured, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide a blade or cutter which is to be used in opening envelopes, cutting the leaves of books, and other similar purposes, and which is to be used as an attachment for pencils or pens, so as to be readily carried upon the person and thus always be ready for instant use.

The accompanying drawing represents a device which embodies my invention, the shield or protector being removed.

A represents an ordinary pencil, which is provided with the usual metallic cap for holding a rubber, C, in the usual manner. Secured around the metallic cap at any suitable point from its upper end is the cutter or blade D, which may either be of the shape shown or any other that may be preferred, and formed as a part of this blade at its inner end are the extensions G, which are to be tightly clamped around the cap for the purpose of securing the blade in position. As here shown, the

blade is made pointed and doubled edged, so as to be adapted to be used in either direction alike; but I do not limit myself to this specific form of cutter or blade, for any other form of blade may be used, if so preferred. In order to leave sufiicient space between the edges of the blade and the side of the metallic cap the cap is flattened or cut away, as shown at I, so as to leave plenty of room for the passage of the paper between the blade and the cap. This flattened portion of the cap extends from its end, as shown, down to the base of the blade, so as to leave the whole edges of the blade free to be used. When the pencil has been used up, the cap will be removed and applied to another pencil.

In order to enable the blade or cutter to be secured with perfect safety in the pocket a shield, O, is provided, which can he slipped down over the blade, so as to entirely hide it in every respect. This shield consists of a tube which slips over the blade to its extreme inner end, and which is prevented from moving beyond this point by a suitable stop, P. The cap is to be removed while the blade is used in opening envelopes, cutting the leaves of books, and other such purposes; but before the pencil is placed in the pocket the shield should be placed over the blade, so as to prevent the blade from catching in the cloth, hurting the hands, or from injury.

In opening an envelope the point of the blade is inserted at one of the upper corners, and then the blade is forced along so as to cut the paper. In cutting the leaves of books it is only necessary to insert the point between the two leaves and then force the cut ter along, the cutter always being held at a suitable angle, so that it will follow the crease in the paper and not cut out to one side.

This device is equally well adapted to be applied to pens.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- The combination of a metallic cap, which is to be applied to a pencil or pen, and which is cut away or flattened upon one side, with a cutter or blade, which is secured rigidly to the cap, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN BIRD. lVitnesses:

RoB'r. E. BAYNE, JAMES BAYNE. 

